Blog Comments & Posts

Great case study! I think some people are just being to sensitive about your post, and not looking at the interesting data you are bringing to light. Getting a top post on Digg or Reddit is an art (most of the time), and your example shows how certain language in the comment section will effect the digg / bury ratio.

"So, with the spectre of Matt Cutts holding court in the back of the room like a bespectacled, cat-loving Don Corleone; Rand, Jim Boykin, John Lessnau and Aaron Wall led a spirited discussion on link buying." - great scott!

"Following the scent" as you put it seems to me like the proper evolutionary step for search. When it all boils down to relevant content it seems that by following the scent back its origin will allow the user to find a better representation of that content. Great WBF!

I understand the argument why so called "Micro Sites" can have a negative effect on your overall SEM plan. I do however think that in some cases it can have a positive effect! For instance if a company has a main site and a separate eCommerce site to target different audiences it can work very well.

Of course this depends on the industry, but if the main site is used to target "larger" custom work, and the eCommerce site is used to target small customers it can be a very efficient marketing tool. Not to mention it enables that company to have a stronger web presence while still providing relevant content.

Good tips on Social Networking.. Leaving your politics at door is a great tip, and oh so very hard to do. A lot of people have no problem posting ridiculous comments cloaked behind their screen name, and it's really difficult not to get sucked into a flame war. Of course if you remember that the most over the top comments are most likely just an attempt to start a flame war.. It's easier not to add a comment.

As more and more Social Networking sites pop up, and people are getting very comfortable with sharing a lot of personal details with the entire world.. Perhaps hiding behind that screen name won't be so easy, and the pointless comments will end...?

I would say keep SEOmoz private. Of course not knowing all of your internal details this is somewhat of a guess.

It appears that you have a good group of people working for you, and that you are all on the same page. You have brought your company to the point it is at now.. so why not bring it further along without help from VCs? You have creative ideas, and I'm sure you have a lot on those white boards! Stay current, and don't lose the drive that has gotten you this far. VCs will always be there, and you can always exercise that option in the future...

The most important advice I can give you is surround yourself with the RIGHT people.. Good people! Because nothing can take a business down a few nothces really fast like ONE bad apple!

I totally relate... SEO can take a lot of time to explain to someone that is not Internet savvy. I usually say "Internet Marketing" to the not so savvy crowd... Marketing is a term that is familiar to most people so that cuts down on the blank stares.. Like when I say something like Search Engine Optimization.